A NEW AQUAPARK with giant, inflatable obstacle course will open to the public tomorrow.

The new North Yorkshire Water Park venture was officially launched at Wykeham Lakes, on the Dawnay Estate near Scarborough today.

Adults and children from various Scarborough-based organisations were on hand today to make a splash and test out the new AquaPark including pupils from Scarborough College, members of Scarborough YMCA and Compass Gym.

The AquaPark includes a floating slide that stands more than five metres tall, climbing walls, trampolines, balance bars, rockers and rollers for people to jump, swim and climb on and a Blast Bag, which uses the powerful force of air to blast friends, family and guests skyward.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, July 18), the park will officially open to the public for the first time from 10am until 6pm and then during afternoons for the rest of the week.

The park will be open daily from Saturday, July 22 during the school holidays.

Andrew Backhouse, manager of North Yorkshire Water Park said: “The whole team is really excited to be opening tomorrow. We’ve had hugely positive feedback from all those who’ve experienced the AquaPark so far with everyone from children, families, and groups of friends telling us how much they’ve enjoyed it. We can’t wait for more people to experience the AquaPark and the thrills of a ‘total wipeout’!” This summer, the North Yorkshire Water Park will also offer stand-up paddle boarding, sailing, team building events, wind-surfing, open water swimming and kayaking at Wykeham Lakes on the Dawnay Estate. The park also has specialist fishing lakes set amongst mature woodland.

Plans have also been submitted to further develop the site at Wykeham Lakes as a visitor attraction over the next two years.

Robert Sword, estate manager of Dawnay Estates, has described it as a “significant investment” for the estate and will result in the creation of at least 15 full-time jobs.

The North Yorkshire Coast is fast-becoming a tourism hotspot, with the £14m Alpamare waterpark opening last year and plans in the pipeline for Flamingo Land to open a £20m leisure development at the site of the former Futurist Theatre. Scarborough Open Air Theatre is also attracting visitors from across the North of England and beyond with global acts such as The Beach Boys, The Jacksons, Little Mix, Tom Jones and George Benson performing at the seaside venue this year.

Janet Deacon, Scarborough Borough Council Tourism Manager said: “We welcome these exciting plans for another significant investment in our leisure and tourism sector, which will complement existing attractions in the area. The investment by Dawnay Estates demonstrates continuing private sector confidence in the borough’s future as a leading visitor destination.”

To book tickets for the AquaPark visit: www.NorthYorkshireWaterPark.co.uk